Thought I would start a general discussion thread for Renderform projects. This thread's purpose is for brainstorming, and launching off new projects before they need their own threads.

Updated September 2nd - Classics Rodimus new guns, sneak peak. Check newer posts.

Current designs being worked on -
Classics Dreadwing/Dreadwind
Classics Roadbuster
Classics Voyager Dirge
Classics Red Alert

3d Model previews -
Classics Rodimus' gun

 

It's kind of hard not to make Darkwing look like a cyber cat man, which is why that upper left one I think looks pretty cool. It's more aerodynamic and pointy (evil  ).

As for Red Alert I like the lower left one. The young, wide eyed look I think suits his character.  

 

How would you work a powermaster into the Universe Silverbolt mold  

Definitely excited about that idea, though - the Skyjack upgrade is great!

 

Looking forward to the Darkwing upgrade. Based on the sketches, the upper right version looks like a nice update to Darkwing's head. It retains a lot of the G1 details without making it look silly. The one head at the bottom is reminding me of Soundwave, so that would be my least favorite design.

As for Red Alert, I have to go with lower left head as well.

 

I like the upper left for Darkwind and lower left for Red Alert.

Sadly I don't own the Darkwind figure but I'm grabbing Red Alert when he comes out, so I'm watching your threads closely now.

 

Your darkwind head designs
could also be used as armada red alert.

 

I like the directions the Darkwing upper right and Alert lower left are going.

I was fine with my Henkei Alert the way he was but having a new head would further differentiate him from Sideswipe so I'm interested in a new head for him.

 

It's Venksta. He'll find a way If he wants to.

 

Original #1 post, archived below. Contents for the original post #9 are half way down.

So to start off, here are some head designs for the next two projects I'm planning to put into the pipeline soon. The Darkwind, and Red Alert. Darkwind has been requested by many people, to have a upgrade made for. And Red Alert is something I want to do, as I don't like the head on the upcoming Generations repaint. Plus, I prefer Red Alert to have a red head.

Darkwind rough head concepts below. Still getting the feeling for his head design. The G1 toy had a horrible head design, in my opinion. I like the Masterforce cartoon head design. So I'm kinda channeling that, while trying to create something we would expect from a "Universe" updating. Not happy with any of these designs yet. Besides the new head, I'll include updated guns. I want to work in a Powermaster for him. But if I do, he won't be out this year, plus, the PM will be very limited and costly.






For Red Alert, I want to go with the G1 look, but modernize it. One little gimmick I'm planning, is interchangeable antenna's. If you remember his G1 centric episode, his antenna's would spark up while he was going crazy. So I'm thinking of make solid red versions, and a translucent colored version, to indicate he ain't right in the noggin.  

So besides the new head, I'm planning a new hand gun, and shoulder rocket, that can rotate up or down. The rocket won't launch though.




Original post #9 from here on down.

I have been getting tons of request for a Roadbuster upgrade for the Universe 2pack. Didn't know so many people missed out on Natobot's upgrade for him. Hes not someone I want to upgrade at the moment, but if I do, it'll be later next year. And that means, Dirge needs a new head. Natobot had originally hinted that he would be doing something for Dirge, but then he left. So here are some rough designs for a possible new Dirge head. This one will be a challenge. As the head will be visible in jet mode. So I'm thinking of incorporating a fin onto the head somehow. Maybe one that can fold back or something, so its not visible in robot mode. And for those of you like me, that got the TRU two pack Starscream vs Vector Prime, a repainted head for him would make a cool Thrust.   Anyways, rough sketches below.

Lol, yeah, I got that cat look from his G1 designs as well.  

Well, either it will have a peg, and attach to the bottom of the nose cone. Or I can try to make a hook, to attach to the rear topside of the jet, where the nose cone hooks onto in robot mode. Or, make a replacement part somewhere which would allow the PM to connect to.

Yeah, your right about the soundwave look. Didn't notice it until now, haha.

I'm hoping to have the prototype for Red Alert's new parts in by the time I get the CHUG figure.  

Heh, your right. Didn't notice that before.

I wish I picked up Henkei Alert. His paint scheme is better looking. I would of still given him the new head design though.  

Hopefully I do.  

 

Great stuff across the board! Especially like the Hydra head! You might actually convince me to display that repaint as intended...

 

Great to hear man, and I dig those Uni Dirge designs, I got the Roadbuster vs Dirge pack, and I love Dirge but wish he had his Conehead, so again I'm gonna be watching your threads close now lol.

So a fin you say, the Armada Coneheads did that, in fact I've got Uni Ramjet right here that I could take a good pic of the fin in vehicle mode for ya.

 

I had some time to kill right now, so I decided to draw some Roadbuster heads. I think I'll try to color up future designs as well now. Anyways, I like the middle head. I think the right head looks good, but would suit a bigger body.

Looks like I got quite a task then.  

I got Uni Ramjet as well, haha. But I had totally forgotten him and Skywarp from Armada had the fins. I'll take another look. My main goal is to give the head the cone style shape, but not look like they are the front of an F15.

 

I like the upper right version of Darkwind and the lower left version for Red Alert.

 

I agree with ya about the middle head for Roadbuster, looks great and should look great on the Dlx Roadbuster.

 

Well, for Darkwind I would go with the first head. Something about the sharper angle on each side of the visor sells the character the most. It just feels right.

Red Alert, I would go lower left. Though I wonder how that same head would look with slightly shorter ear-tennae. But the overall helmet design works best.

Center conehead for me. I just like it. Same with Roadbuster--center design. Not as busy as the last one, and the first one feels a bit basic.

Red Alert is the one I'm interested in. I'll be getting Generations RA since I missed out on the Henkei version (went to BC '09 with intensions of getting him--got a bit too occupied with the rest of my 'list' I totally forgot to get him until it was too late).

 

I'd agree that the center Roadbuster head is the one that looks the best.

 

Very promising! Love the left lower alert head (launcher and gun).

Still hoping for cliffjumper plans 

 

I always liked Darkwing's head design used in Limelight: Dreadwind
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/trans...elight-dreadwind-full-version-now-online.html

...especially the super-big visor.  

 

Same here, can't wait to see what Venks does with Cliff.

As for Red Alert, I like the head in the lower left but actually prefer the ears of the one on the top left.

And Venksta you were right about PCC Huffer's head. It's a bitch to take off. I finally got it off by dipping his head in boiling hot water. I'd still like to see you make a G1 head for this guy and maybe even a blue hood that attaches to the orange shoulders in bot mode.

Other things I'd like to see you tackle for selfish reasons:

1) a left arm for Energon Shockblast/Superlink Laserwave
2) G1 head for Classics Devastator

 

Thanks for the feedback on the rough designs everyone. I'll be doing some more further designs on those characters, before I begin work on the models.

Thanks for the link. Been meaning to check it out. I'll see if I can incorporate a big visor into my design.

Heres a quick head design for CJ. The project is pushed back into next year though.

If Huffer's head is too difficult to take out for most people, I still think it won't be worth doing. I'll try the hot water trick myself though, and see how easy it is.

I actually want to do a new head for Energon/Classics Devastator.